In line water filter

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) is great at removing many things, including the chlorine that sanitises the water. However, it cannot remove bugs or viruses, thats what the chlorine does!

I would recommend one drinks any potable water treated by a GAC immediately, unless you add some other form of sanitising agent so it can be stored. Also a GAC should never be used on its own to treat non-potable water for drinking purposes.

Cheers

Captain

Hi Captain

From what you say I have been very misled thinking a silver activated carbon filter will clean my drinking water from both poor quality and and bugs.

If one of these silver activated carbon filters wont clean the bugs out what should we be treating our water with - like if we top up from a country water tank that might be OK but could have been standing for a while. Or even if we are out on the CSR and want to top up from one of the wells.

Cheers

Serendipity

Hi Serendipity

The amount of silver in a GAC cartridge is only sufficient to keep bugs from growing within the cartridge, the silver is insuffcient to kill active bugs in non-potable water. While GAC is good at removing organics, heavy metals and pesticides, it does not kill bugs.

I use a product called AquaSafe, it contains hydrogen peroxide to perform the initial kill and silver to provide the residual protection. Silver on its own cannot provide sufficient "kill capacity" initially, but is good for residual protection.

Cheers

Captain

Disclaimer: I used to work for the company that provides AquaSafe to Davey and used to have access to all the laboratory data on its efficiency. Its results are why I use it for my family when travelling.

Hi Captain

Thanks for that heads up. After posting my reply I searched google and you are right.Water is not really cleaned of bugs unless it is boiled in a pressure cooker or treated in some way. The Silver activated carbon filter only filters sediment and some unpalatable tastes.

I see that I can buy 1 litre containers for $45 or even 5l and 20l containers. Even at 1 litre I can treat 5000litres of water - more than enough for a camping trip.

I also found a new invention called LIFESAVER WATER FILTER BOTTLE. This can treat 4000 litres and is the size of a ordinary water drink bottle. $200 from eBay inc freight. The research says this will get rid of bugs as well. Of course you have to pump the bottle to get the water through the 200 nanometre filter system.

I think I will get some of that Acquasafe.

Thanks Captain. This is what this forum is for. Sharing great camping ideas.

Cheers

Serendipity

Hi Serendipity,

Not a problem, glad I could help. I think you will be pleased with the performance of Aquasafe, its a good product. It has a shelf life of ~1 year, but is actually good for MUCH longer. The hydrogen peroxide starts to flash off over time, so all you need to do is use a bit more. You can get test strips to test the water after treating and ensure you have added enough. 1L will last most campers far longer than its shelf-life, but no need to waste good product if using a bit more still works.

That Water Filter Bottle is a UF (Ultra Filtration) filter and is good to remove virtually all bugs and viruses. However, it does not provide residual protection so you still need to add something if storing the water in a tank for later use. But its fine to drink that filtered water immediately - great for hikers using water from streams.

Cheers

Captain